The White House has begun replacing temporary barricades at its main entrance with a permanent wall as part of a broader effort to modernize and strengthen security for President Donald Trump. A White House official told CNN that the construction, located at the North Portico, could take several months to complete. Workers are also repairing exterior columns at the president’s request, and the area is currently covered with scaffolding and large printed screens.

The U.S. Secret Service had long advocated for reinforcing the northern entrance, and the project is described as a security measure rather than a decorative one. In addition, the Trump administration has submitted a proposal to encircle Lafayette Park, north of the White House, with a permanent wall to replace temporary barriers. The proposal, jointly filed by the Secret Service, the Executive Office of the President, and the Department of Homeland Security, has been sent to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts for approval.

Following multiple assassination attempts on President Trump, the administration is also planning a 90,000-square-foot ballroom with advanced security features, including a drone port, sniper posts, and an underground bunker.